The Cuban Hustle: culture, politics, everyday life

Ethnic and Racial Studies ISSN: (Print) (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rers20 The Cuban Hustle: culture, politics, everyday life by Sujatha Fernandes, Durham and London, Duke University press, 2020, 184 pp., $24.95 (paperback), ISBN 9781478009641 Mauricia John To cite this article: Mauricia John (2020): The Cuban Hustle: culture, politics, everyday life, Ethnic and Racial Studies, DOI: 10.1080/01419870.2020.1856396 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2020.1856396 Published online: 10 Dec 2020. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 8 View related articles View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rers20 ETHNIC AND RACIAL STUDIES BOOK REVIEW The Cuban Hustle: culture, politics, everyday life, by Sujatha Fernandes, Durham and London, Duke University press, 2020, 184 pp., $24.95 (paperback), ISBN 9781478009641 For any reader who is curious about the embodiment of Cuban life over the past two decades, Fernandes skilfully provides lucid accounts of ordinary Cubans, who, through pure resourcefulness and innovation, and in times of chaos, work relentlessly to find strategies for survival, in ways that are meaningful and artistically expressive. Through a collection of essays Sujatha Fernandes explores “The Cuban Hustle” which details how the ordinary Cuban has reproduced alternative cultures since the fall of the Soviet Union. The post-Soviet period marked a time when Cuba expanded economically by entering global markets, and increasing tourism while continuing to rely heavily on art, sports, and medicine. The author defines “the hustle” which dates back to the colonial era, as a reckoning for social justice, the use of survival strategies, and the expression of culture which all constitute the arduous plight of Cubans during a post-Soviet era. The contradictory lives of Cubans are investigated through black market transactions, sex work, and romantic relationships which are often used as survival tools. The reader quickly learns about Cubans’ strong dependence on informal networks to find solutions to their struggles. Fernandes does a great job of contextualizing how survival strategies often spill over into the cultural landscape of Cuban society, as new innovations and creativity emerge out of a mere shortage of artistic material. She also notes that the scarcity of resources often engender spontaneity and creativity amongst Cubans as a means of survival. Fernandes sheds light on social divisions which all gained increased visibility in post-Soviet Cuba as issues of race, class and gender inequalities resurface and create numerous challenges for women, blacks and poor Cubans. In the post -Soviet era, feminist and anti-racism movements emerged in Cuban society as growing public discontent took on the form of cultural expression in documentary films and public artistic expression. It is clear to the reader that social norms and cultural taboos made redundant by the revolution were again resurfacing at a time when Cubans fought to survive economically, socially, and culturally. Contrary to how the western media often portrays Cuban life – as a socially repressed society, that yearns for political and consumer freedoms unavailable to them – Fernandes paints an entirely different picture. The author in fact suggests that Cuba must be understood on its own terms. She further contends that despite the many blueprints from which Cubans can draw, Cubans continue 2 BOOK REVIEW to rely heavily on their basic values and traditions of collectivism, egalitarianism, and voluntarism; all of which are derived from their socialist past. Remarkably, Fernandes’ collection of essays shed light on a post-Soviet Cuba that is not transitioning towards fully embracing a capitalistic model, but instead a Cuba that reveals a variety of liberatory visions which incorporates a socialist worldview. The author argues that post-Soviet Cuba encompasses western influences such as the rise of social movements, digitized information, the fusion of eclectic music and even the incorporation of gaming culture. Fernandes further explains that the collapse of the Soviet Union, which was so influential on Cuban life, eventually gave way to a culture that embodies activism and grassroots organization. These social movements often present challenges to the Cuban government as the movements prove to be norm breaking and challenge the core beliefs, customs and values predominant during the Soviet era. Interestingly, Fernandes describes the relationship between social and/or cultural actors with the Cuban government as contradictory and often paradoxical, as the cultural landscape of Cuba faced significant transformation in the last two decades. A reoccurring theme in these essays is the issue of race and class inequality in Cuba, particularly amongst Afro-Cubans. Several social movements emerge protesting against social inequality. At the forefront of these issues is a fight against racism and discrimination in Cuba, a country that historically fought against the marginalization of social groups, and in fact once saw racial and class divides as obsolete. Through artistic expression, the hip hop movement emerged at a time when black Cubans were truly feeling the effects of racial discrimination during the 1990s. Systemic forms of racism in employment, housing and law enforcement led to increased activism and organization. Fernandes does a great job of illustrating how American rap music became very influential to black Cuban youth, which in turn led to their proud identification as black. The author makes relevant connections to the Black Lives Matter Movement in the United States and its global impact, particularly in Cuba where black men experience discrimination by the police in the form of disproportionate surveillance and harassment. Fernandes provides a much needed discussion on race, particularly how black Cubans continue to navigate post-Soviet Cuba demanding inclusion and equality. Fernandes ends with accounts of the Obama and Trump administrations and how each era facilitated and curtailed relations with Cuba in the 21st century. The Obama administration ushered in a period of normalization between the two countries where ties were reestablished and collaborative efforts coordinated. The beginning of the Trump administration coincided with the death of Fidel Castro, and led with a Cold War policy which sought to destabilize the Cuban government rather than build bridges. Despite restrictions imposed during the Trump era, Cubans continue to reinvent themselves and organize collectively in solidarity. Fernandes outlines the stories of Cubans who anticipate challenging economic times ahead due to restrictions imposed, and the devastating effects of hurricane Irma; yet they find ways to survive. The reader gains present-day insight ETHNIC AND RACIAL STUDIES 3 on the cultural vibrancy of Havana, and the upbeat nature of Cubans who continue to hustle, resolve, struggle, and ultimately find strategies to endure. The Cuban Hustle provides a necessary contribution to the Cuban diaspora literature; the accounts are timely, and deliver a contemporary understanding of Cuba, and the hardships faced by so many since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Mauricia John Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania [email protected] © 2020 Mauricia John https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2020.1856396